On the 1st of February our voyagers were in the latitude of 48 deg.

30' south, and in longitude 58 deg.

7' east, nearly in the meridian of the island of St.Mauritius.This was the situation in which the land said to have been discovered by the French was to be expected; but as no signs of it had appeared, our commander bore away to the east.

Captain Furneaux, on the same day, informed Captain Cook, that he had just seen a large float of sea, or rock weed, and about it several of the birds called divers.

These were certain signs of the vicinity of land, though whether it lay to the east or west could not possibly be known.